Bill O'Toole: Close
Call in Marion, Ind.

Bill O'Toole and his family moved to Marion, Ind.,
in the fall of 2000 to start a new church in Central Conference.

On Monday, March 21, 2001, Bill reported having chest pains. He was subsequently admitted to Marion General Hospital, where it was determined that he would need to undergo heart catheterization. Tests at the Heart Center in Marion showed no medical indication of heart problems, though they hadn't been able to rule out a blockage.

On April 2, Bill reported, "I feel pretty good. I am off of coffee almost completely. I am not supposed to go full bore on work for two weeks. Stress seems to set them off. I have never experienced anything like this before."

On April 19, Bill underwent a heart catheterization at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis. Prior to the surgery, he reported, "I would covet your prayers. I have continued having chest pains off and on, and have been rather fatigued. The heart specialist says this is the only way at this point to know whether I am dealing with a blockage or some other problem."

On April 24, Bill reported, "I praise the Lord Jesus Christ for being able to sit at this computer and write to you today! I have much to thank the Father for. His Blessed Holy Spirit has watched over me.

"Brenda took me to St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis Thursday for a diagnostic heart cath, to find out why I have been having chest pains as well as other problems. The heart cath showed that my left front coronary artery was 80% blocked. We scheduled with them to have angioplasty (balloon therapy) and possibly a stent the next week. Then, when it was time for me to sit up and start talking about going home, I started having chest pains and shortness of breath. The nurse gave me nitro and oxygen and had me lay back down. She called the surgeon and scheduled me for balloon cath the next day.

"Brenda, Jonathan, and Stephen were there with me. They had to find a motel to stay at.

"The surgeons called for me at 6:00 Friday morning, and by 6:45 I was experiencing the brief nice feeling of valium for the first time. The next thing I knew, I was waking up and the doctors were telling me it was all done. They put two stints together, because they said they roughed up the artery. One of those 'oops' things.

"Anyway, here I am back at home with strict rules running out my ears and some new things (meds) to take.

"The doctor said I have a good strong heart muscle. A heart attack was averted! Everything else is good. I feel more mentally alert than I have for several weeks."

Meanwhile, the O'Tooles continue with their efforts to plant a church in Marion, a church called Family Life Fellowship.

On February 22, the new church had its first prayer meeting to pray for the church's core group. "We fully believe the Lord is preparing the hearts of those who will be part of the beginnings of this church," Bill wrote.

On the evening of February 27, they did door-to-door visitation with some students from Indiana Wesleyan University. They used questionnaires, and left basic information about the church. A number of contacts were made.

On March 11, they held their first Sunday evening meeting in the O'Toole home. "Those of us in attendance enjoyed it, even though we were small in number. We visited and got to know each other better."

On April 22, a writer and photographer from the Marion Chronicle Tribune attended their Sunday night meeting in the O'Toole home. The following Wednesday, a nice article, with a large picture, appeared in the paper. Bill was praying that the article would get the attention of some persons interested in becoming part of their core group. "We really need a breakthrough in this area."

Bill continues to substitute teach with the Marion Schools and do supply preaching at the Innisdale UB church in Alexandria, Ind., on Sundays.